Mission-Minded Romance . . .
“Three of our kids have each found the “love of their life”; and as parents, we’ve already seen how all of these relationships are “multiplying” (rather than dividing) God’s calling and purposes for all three couples”
Holiness, Romance, and JOY!!!
Today, Ann is featuring a new article for Christian mothers over on another site called Visionary Womanhood — sharing some romantic family highlights, with three sweet love stories from our children . . . and encouraging families to focus on God’s design for holiness, romance, and JOY!!!
Come see . . .
Photo: Our daughter Christi with her fiance’ Trae Childs (a third generation missionary from Niger, West Africa) — on their very happy engagement day.
Exciting International Adventures!!!
Throughout the years, our family’s international travels have led to amusing encounters, humorous misunderstandings, and hilarious adventures. When we have an opportunity to share about world missions (especially when we’re talking with kids and teenagers) we often enjoy sharing a few of our funny missions stories or exciting adventures.
Being mission-minded is not boring!
Machu Picchu, Peru – South AmericaRight now, our oldest son, Patrick (who just completed his commission in the USMC, as a commanding officer in Ground Intelligence), is now on a ’round-the-world adventure (not as for military or missions work, but simply for a personal experience).
This week, he’s in South America; he just completed a 4-day trek to visit Machu Picchu in PERU . . . and we’re all curious where he’s heading next . . .
All across the globe . . .
In just a few days, Josh & Anna Dunagan (our son and daughter-in-law) will be heading to COSTA RICA, Central America — with Gospel Projects International — on a mission trip to distribute Bibles door-to-door with a missionary family, and to minister in street evangelism.
Our oldest daughter Christi (who is engaged to be married in June to Trae Childs — a third-generation missionary from NIGER — in West Africa) will be ministering with Ann at several DARING DAUGHTER events in March, to encourage teen girls for world missions.
and our college son Daniel (who is also engaged to be married in June to his sweetheart, Anna, and currently working in the ORU missions department) is excited about being a part a college mission outreach in June to GERMANY — in Europe.
Missions can be extremely fun!
Although international missions work often means adjusting to curious cuisine and challenging conditions, it can also be extremely fun. Our family has enjoyed Polynesian snorkeling, European museums, African safaris, Middle Eastern camel “excursions,” South American professional soccer games, and Australian boat rides. Take our word for it — or better yet, try it yourself — missions is definitely not boring!
More about our family’s international mission ADVENTURES
Recommended Mission-Minded Family Links:
e3 resources: the EvangeCube and more!
Resources for Prayer, Evangelism, and DiscipleshipGlobal Expeditions – TeenMania
Opportunities for teen mission tripsGospel Projects International
A new mission directed by Josh & Anna Dunagan (Jon & Ann’s son & daughter-in-law)International Faith Telegraph
World Christian News and Mission NewsMission Atlas Project
A fun resource for all ages to learn about world missionsThe Four Spiritual Laws
Share the Gospel with the 4-Spiritual Laws – in many languages!The JESUS Film – in many languages!
Learn about the JESUS Film projectThe Joshua Project – Unreached People Groups
Pray for today’s unreached people groupYWAM – Youth With A Mission
Learn about Youth With A Mission — books, discipleship training, and family mission opportunities
Recommended Mission Books & Resources
A quick look at a few of our favorite mission-minded books . . .
Balancing Missions & Motherhood
Finding God’s balance for motherhood and ministry is sometimes a difficult (and continually changing) tug-of-war; but I believe the struggle is healthy . . .
(Photo: Ann Dunagan encouraged many women in ministry from Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, and Tanzania at the recent HMFI – Harvest Ministry Fellowship International leadership conference in Uganda, East Africa.)
Most of the time, just doing another load of laundry, or drilling the kids on grammar, or reading a bedtime story . . . doesn’t seem very important. But God sees the big picture. He highly esteems motherhood and He values a faithful mom who is willing to lay down her “big dreams” . . . to serve her family. And at the same time, He sees the lost and the reality of heaven and hell . . .
God cares about my kids and God cares about the lost. As a mission-minded mom, how can I keep these two “pulls “on my heart in balance — in a way that will truly please the heart of the Lord?
Screaming Babies & Praying Mommas . . .
Today, Ann is leading a discussion about balancing missions and motherhood over at Passionate Homemaking (a great site especially for young women and moms, focused on simple, natural, and intentional living).
The featured article is: Screaming Babies & Praying Mommas. Come see . . . > > >
Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny
Often, parents and teachers ask their children, “What do YOU want to be when you grow up?” In a world that is increasingly self-seeking, self-centered, and self-absorbed, the answers are consistently more egocentric–”a movie star,” “a rock star,” “a dance star . . . ”
Introducing:
THE MISSION-MINDED FAMILY
Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny
By Ann Dunagan (Published by Biblica)
Seeking First the Kingdom in a Self-Absorbed Culture
A Press Release by B & B Media Group, Dallas, TX:
Often, parents and teachers ask their children, “What do YOU want to be when you grow up?” In a world that is increasingly self-seeking, self-centered, and self-absorbed, the answers are consistently more egocentric–”a movie star,” “a rock star,” “a dance star.”
Even within the church, this present generation is fixated on obtaining fame, wealth, and pleasure. But shouldn’t we be encouraging our children’s willingness to surrender to God’s plans for their futures? Shouldn’t our question instead be, “Oh, I wonder what awesome plans God has for your life! When you grow up, will you do whatever GOD wants you to do?”
In her new book, The Mission-Minded Family: Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny (Biblica), author, teacher, and missionary, Ann Dunagan shows parents how to combat the influence of the “Me Generation” by giving readers the tools to revolutionize their families into ones dedicated to fulfilling God’s will and potential, instead of their own. In the first chapter of her book, Dunagan quotes David Shibley as he clearly addresses the current crisis within the church.
“We whine, ‘I just want to know my purpose; I’ve got to reach my destiny.” We race all over the country to attend ‘destiny conferences,’ and we devour tapes and books on ‘reaching your full potential . . . ‘ Even cloaking our self-centeredness in Christian garb and jargon cannot cover the nakedness of this cult of self that has infested much of the church . . . How can we ever hope to discover our purpose in the earth with little or no interest in His purpose?”
Dunagan, who also wrote The Mission-Minded Child, brings the same perspective to what it means to be a mission-minded family. Her goal is to equip today’s godly parents to train our next generation to make a powerful impact for Jesus Christ by directing their focus outward. “Every day, approximately 150,000 people die; the majority of these people are not saved, and far too many have never even heard God’s Good News of salvation,” says Dunagan. “How can we sit back and hear the Gospel again and again, while many are still waiting to hear it for the first time? [adapted from a mission quote by Oswald J. Smith]. Today’s Christian families desperately need to remember that our purpose in this world involves so much more than what we can attain for ourselves. We’re here to reach the lost.”
The Mission-Minded Family includes suggested activities for families to participate in missions together, as well as resources to help families develop the desire to become more missions-focused. Dunagan discusses the need for families to balance and prioritize their everyday lives and delves into what a family’s finances would look like if they were focused on missions. Families who read and practice principles from this book will receive a rekindled closeness as they participate in ministry together.
“In a mission-minded family, there’s a God-infused energy,” Dunagan explains. “There’s a focus on God’s worldwide purpose and a passion for the lost.” There’s a spiritual depth and hunger that reaches beyond the maintenance mode of cultural Christianity.”
Packed with motivating missions stories, hymns, and quotes, The Mission-Minded Family is a quick resource tool with examples of missionary family heroes, ministry ideas, exciting prayer projects, and even practical tips for international travel. Filled with passionate inspiration, The Mission-Minded Family will be picked up again and again, read aloud, and used as a reference for years to come.
You can also find The Mission-Minded Family at ChristianBook.com, YWAM Publishing, Amazon.com, CBN’s Parable.com, and STL – Authentic Books
Inspire your family, and others, for missions!
Discounts for BULK orders or MINISTRY/CHURCH orders
(For BOXES of 12 or CASES of 48!!!)
It’s easy to mentor FAMILIES with The Mission-Minded Child & The Mission-Minded Family. Get a set for yourself and a few friends, and go through the books together. Take the FREE 40-Day Family Challenge, or start a mentoring group in your home or church (be sure to see our new FREE online Mission-Minded Families study guide for small groups…)
Dr. Duff’s Missionary Appeal for India
“My friend, will you go? Has God spoken to you? Have you heard His Call? Will you not answer, ‘Lord, here am I, send me’? And if you cannot go, will you not send a substitute? – Oswald J. Smith
Let’s stir up a heart for INDIA!
Lately, the nation of India has been in our thoughts and in our prayers, especially the need to support remote national ministers and evangelists.
There are many spiritual needs in this vast country, and so many people who need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Here are some links to help you to focus your prayers:
Dr. Duff’s Appeal
An excerpt from A Challenge to Missions
By Oswald J. Smith
Dr. Alexander Duff, that great veteran missionary to India, returned to Scotland to die, and as he stood before the general assembly . . . he made his appeal, but there was no response.
In the midst of his appeal he fainted and was carried off the platform.
The doctor bent over him and examined his heart.
Presently he opened his eyes. “Where am I?” he cried. “Where am I?”
“Lie still,” said the doctor. “You have had a heart attack. Lie still.”
“But,” exclaimed Dr. Duff, “I haven’t finished my appeal. Take me back. Take me back. I must finish my appeal.”
“Lie still,” said the doctor again. “You will go back at the peril of you life.”
But, in spite of the protests of the physician, the old warrior struggled to his feet, and, with the doctor on one side and the moderator of the assembly of the other side, he again mounted the steps of the pulpit platform, and, as he did so, the entire assembly rose to do him honor. Then, when they were seated, he continued his appeal.
And this is what he said:
“When Queen Victoria calls for volunteers for India, hundreds of young men respond; but, when King Jesus calls, no one goes.”
Then he paused. There was silence.
Again he spoke: “Very well,” he concluded, “then, aged though I am, I’ll go back to India. I can lie down on the banks of the Ganges and I can die and thereby I can let the people of India know that there was one man in Scotland who loved them enough to give his life for them.”
In a moment, young men all over the assembly sprang to their feet, crying, “I’ll go! I’ll go!”
And after the old white-haired warrior had been laid to rest, these young men, having graduated, found their way to dark benighted India, there to labor as his substitutes for the Lord Jesus Christ.
My friend, will you go? Has God spoken to you? Have you heard His Call? Will you not answer, “Lord, here am I, send me”? And if you cannot go, will you not send a substitute?
It is for you to decide.
Why should anyone hear the Gospel twice before everyone has heard it once?
How YOU can help orphan children . . .
Loving the Lord, the lost . . . and orphans.
It’s such a joy to love orphan children . . . for God’s kingdom and for His GLORY!
At Harvest Ministry, our primary calling is missions evangelism and soul-winning; but we have found that rescuing orphans is a spiritual battle-zone for the next generation. Currently, we are excited and honored to be caring for over 700 orphan children — physically, educationally, emotionally, and spiritually — and we wanted to share how YOU can be a part.
From God’s Word, we definitely know that orphans are on God’s heart . . . and they’re also on our heart!
The Bible says, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27)
How YOU can help . . .
Before we share more details, we wanted to give you the “bottom-line” — with two specific ways that you could help some very special orphan children.
1. You can PRAY!
James 5:16 tells us, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Prayer takes time and it is a huge gift. We know that prayer makes a difference and we would greatly appreciate your prayers for this area of Harvest Ministry orphan outreach (especially for God’s wisdom and direction).2. You can become an ORPHAN SPONSOR.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Harvest Ministry orphan sponsor (through a monthly orphan-child-sponsorship — of any amount — or through a one-time or special orphan gift), just CONTACT US with your name and mailing address. We would be happy to send you an info brochure and Harvest Ministry’s monthly mission update.
Each “number” is a real little child . . . with a heart and a soul and a potential to love Jesus!
Our call to the lost . . .
In world missions, Harvest Ministry’s focus is evangelism. Specifically, we’re called to preach the Gospel to a lost and hurting world, especially to “unreached” people who have never heard of Jesus Christ, and especially in areas that are currently “most-ripe” for harvest.
Over the years, we have often found that some of the world’s most spiritually-hungry areas are also physically-needy areas. Often Harvest Ministry is called to preach the Gospel in current war-zones, or in places that are facing tremendous political and economic challenges. And as we’ve been preaching the Gospel and winning souls for Jesus . . . the Lord has shown us His love for orphan children.
The need to help orphans is HUGE and it’s a strategic point of “battle” against the enemy.
The Bible tells us in Hebrews 1:9,
“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
We just hate the devil and his deplorable acts. Not only does he “kick” people when they’re down and condemn people when they’ve fallen into his sinful traps; but he has no qualms about taking the most innocent victims of his violence, diseases and sin — precious orphan children — and abusing them to further his evil agenda.
The statistics are horrific.
Worldwide, over 143,000,000 children are orphans. To survive, many of these children are forced to beg or to steal food . . . or worse. Many are sold or “tricked” into slavery. Little boys are forced to become child soldiers. Little girls are forced into the sex trade. Every 15 seconds, another African child becomes an AIDS orphan; in Africa alone, at the end of every year, over two million children will become orphans.
To us, these numbers are not just stats and heart-tugging-manipulators. To us, each number is a real child, with a heart and a soul and a potential to love Jesus.
In many areas where Harvest Ministry has led evangelistic outreaches and where new churches have been planted, local believers often face huge practical challenges. In many villages, national pastors are dealing with a crisis of SO MANY orphan children — due to AIDS, civil war, disease, or incoming refugees — that is way-beyond the capability of their poor congregations. Many church families are trying to help the orphans of their relatives and friends, but sometimes these small churches need help, even for temporary relief.
Since the launching of our orphan outreach in 2006 — by God’s grace and through the generosity and prayers of our wonderful partners — Harvest Ministry has helped to rescue over 885 orphan children.
Building projects have included schools, chapels, kitchens, and children’s homes. Special projects have included “underwear-drives” and truckloads-of-mattresses. Over the years, hundreds of children have been fed three meals a day. And most importantly, these children have come to love Jesus Christ. Orphans have saved by God’s grace, water baptized, filled with God’s Holy Spirit and trained in His Word. Many are now involved in worship and dance outreaches, mission evangelism in villages, and church ministry.
Some of these “little missionaries” had been sleeping under trees or wandering the streets. Some were starving or being abused by relatives. Some had nothing but old ripped-up garbage sacks for blankets.
To see these kids now happy and worshiping Jesus is such a JOY.
Prayer and Worship is a vital part of the ministry at Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center
“You have been the helper of the orphan.”
(Psalm 10:14)
Harvest Ministry is called to help children who are not being helped by others. We especially feel a burden to help the orphan needs in the village churches that Harvest Ministry helped to establish. Sometimes our current situations are not as “pretty” and “perfect” as other more established orphan homes; but the needs we have found are real; and the leaders are loving, godly, and genuine people of integrity.
Our calling is to help orphan children in great need . . . for the Glory of our GREAT GOD.
Our daughter Caela with a few children from the Village Family Zone Centers in SW Uganda
Josh & Anna Dunagan – with the children from Aasha (Hope) Children’s Home in SE India
Jon Dunagan – with precious children we helped to rescue – Bussi Island, Uganda
The need . . .
Currently Harvest Ministry is fully supporting over 700 orphan children in East Africa: including 500 children at Guma Na Yesu “Keep With Jesus” Children’s Center (in Mbarara, Uganda) and 200 children living with Christian families in remote areas and being helped by church-based Village Family Zone Centers (located throughout Western Uganda). Also, our son and daughter-in-law Josh & Anna Dunagan are fully supporting 23 orphan children at Aasha (Hope) Children’s Home in S.E. India through a brand-new mission, Gospel Projects International, recently launched-out from Harvest Ministry.
The on-going support for the 500 children at Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center includes spiritual care and Bible training (with daily chapels, prayer time, fervent worship, and opportunities for ministry outreach); provision for a safe place to live; Christian education (including nationally required school subjects, plus music, cultural dance, and sports); three simple meals each day; clothing (including school uniforms and play clothes); and loving care from the Christian teachers, church leaders, and mommas.
The on-going support through the Village Family Zone Centers includes provision for supervising tutors who travel to the villages to check-up on 200 orphan children and to help encourage the children’s school work, and assistance through local churches for families who have adopted children.
Ann Dunagan – having fun with kids from Guma Na Yesu (Keep With Jesus) Children’s Center – Uganda
School buildings at Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center – Uganda
How YOU can help these children . . .
The need is great and any help (through prayer or support) is very appreciated.
Right now, all of the needs for these children (spiritually, educationally, emotionally, and physically) are being met with an average of only 50 cents per child per day. The physical needs are great, especially for food and living conditions, but we don’t see the situation as desperate. The kids are happy, safe, and doing very well. They are receiving good education, clothing, and basic needs. We’re continually praising God for His provision and rejoice in His daily “manna.” The spiritual situation is strong and the on-sight atmosphere is full of God-glorifying life and JOY!!!
As you can imagine, there are many ongoing needs — for food, water, clothing, shoes, school supplies, beds/bedding, primary health needs, and continued construction.
Because there are so many orphan children we need to help, Harvest Ministry is no longer doing one-on-one child sponsorships. Some of our orphan projects are short-term relief efforts, or in the process of becoming self-supporting; because of this, we need the flexibility to transfer Harvest Ministry’s orphan funds to the greatest areas of current orphan need. Also, coordinating individual communication between 700 children and individual sponsors is too time-and-labor-demanding for our man-power. We realize it’s a “fun” family project to receive a child packet with an individualized picture and regularly updated information on “your” chosen child; however, as we’ve prayed and sought the Lord about how to move forward to help many more needy children — along with how to focus on all the other mission work and our own family balance — we believe we are not to go this route.
Primary school children at Guma Na Yesu (Keep With Jesus) Children’s Center in Uganda
We have been encouraged by testimony of George Müller (1805-1898) , a well-known missionary who believed God for the provision of thousands of orphans in Bristol, England without sharing his need with anyone (and we can safely assume, without any one-on-one sponsorships).
The logistical administration for this “fun” element of one-on-one sponsorship is extremely time-consuming (way-more than we realized). Harvest Ministry went this route for five years, when we first launched our orphan ministry, but the Lord has clearly shown us to make a change. Now, we are simply trusting God for all these children. We’re believing for His provision, even without the personal benefit of one-on-one communication. All of these kids need our help. Instead on one-on-one update packs and individual sponsor letters, Harvest Ministry will highlight an individual child each month and a specific area for prayer.
If your family is considering sponsoring an orphan as a project to encourage your children for missions, here’s our plan. Lord willing, each sponsor will receive our monthly HARVEST REPORT mission letter, along with an orphan POSTCARD with a NEW orphan child photo & bio each month, a specific prayer focus, and an orphan-focused memory verse.
At Harvest Ministry, 100% of all mission gifts designated for ORPHAN needs are used for these needy orphan children. Nothing is taken out for any administrative/office needs.
Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center
Ugandan Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center Directors, Naboth & Alice Tumuhairwe
A few ideas . . .
As we live simply, God can help us to give generously . . . and a little bit can make a BIG difference.
Right now, $15/month is fully supporting each orphan child — in spirit, soul, and body. (As God provides, we are hoping and praying to greatly increase this per-child provision; but please know that every dollar is stretched very-VERY-far to help many needy orphans).
Just think of what a dollar a day could do!
Could you imagine providing for 2 children with just $30 a month, or for 5 children with just $75 a month, or (for those of you with big families) for 10 children with just $150 a month.
We praise God for His continued provision and know that He will direct those who are called to join with us to help meet each need. In addition to monthly sponsorships (which primarily meet our daily food and educational needs), you might be interested in a special project for orphans . . . such as clothing or underwear or mattresses (each about $10/child), bunk beds ($25/child) or blankets ($5/child).
Right now, we’re believing for beds and blankets for all of the children. We’re also working to complete a much-needed building project (12 rooms for our primary school teachers – at a cost of about $500/each), and we’re preparing to launch a brand-new Christian vocational and secondary school for the older children.
How YOU can help . . .
Once again, here are two ways you can help Harvest Ministry’s orphan children:
1. You can PRAY!
2. You can become an ORPHAN SPONSOR.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Harvest Ministry orphan sponsor (through a monthly orphan-child-sponsorship — of any amount — or with a one-time or special orphan gift), just CONTACT US with your name and mailing address. We would be happy to send you an info brochure and Harvest Ministry’s monthly mission update.
Here’s a bit more here on our website . . .
More about how we’re LOVING ORPHANS . . .
More about Guma Na Yesu (Keep With Jesus) Children’s Center in Mbarara, Uganda . . .
More about Aasha (Hope) Children’s Home in S.E. India (led by our newlywed kids, Josh & Anna)
God bless you!!!
A Godly Dad & Goals for 2012
“How we spend our days is how we spend our lives.”
(A quote from a plaque on our sister’s wall . . . )As we’re looking ahead to a New Year, and seeking God for all He has for us in 2012, we need to seek God for His guidance, so that day-by-day, our lives will glorify Him.
Today, we would like to invite you to join us over on another site called “Visionary Womanhood” for an article Ann wrote about her godly dad. The post highlights the testimony of a daily example of prayer, the importance of God’s Word, family encouragement in yearly goal-setting, and the impact of a godly heritage (along with encouragement for YOU to seek God will for this New Year).
Come join us today at Visionary Womanhood:
Click here for the article > > Seeking God’s Vision for 2012
Plan a Mission-Minded 2012: FREE Guide!
Do you want to set aside time to seek God’s will for 2012? Do you want your life and your family to become more effective for God’s Kingdom . . . and for ETERNITY?
This year, don’t just make empty New Year’s resolutions that you’re likely to forget by February; instead, pray and seek God for His specific plans and purposes for your LIFE.
Get focused on God’s eternal mission and His long-term vision (including His Great Commandment — to love God and to love others, and His Great Commission — to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people who don’t yet know Him).
And no matter what “job” you do for a living, may you and your family be a part of expanding God’s Kingdom in 2012, both in your own sphere of influence, and across the world.
Introducing your FREE New Year’s Guide for 2012
Watch this 2 minute video for a quick explanation of this evaluation and prayer guide.
Our heart is to help you to plan a more effective and MISSION-MINDED New Year:
Click here — for your FREE 2012 New Year’s Guide!
(PRINT 1 copy of the entire document, pgs. 1-16, and 3 EXTRA COPIES of pgs. 10-11.
Also, here’s our favorite 1-year Bible Reading Plan from www.Bible-reading.com.Please share this with your friends, and help us by posting it on facebook, twitter, and your blogs. And let us know what you think. How is God directing you and your family to impact God’s Kingdom in 2012? We would appreciate your feedback and comments!!!
Have a Happy (& Mission-Minded) New Year!!!
In His Harvest,
Jon & Ann
Click here for more details about Ann’s books, The Mission-Minded Family and The Mission-Minded Child including a link for FREE sample chapters (and info about how you can get your own copies)!!!
Plus, stay tuned to learn more about our brand-new upcoming book:
THE SCARLET CORD – Nothing But the Blood of Jesus (A Concise Call to World Missions – by Jon & Ann Dunagan — scheduled for release early in 2012)
A Mission-Minded Christmas Day: I GAVE MYSELF
For God so loved the WORLD, that He gave His only Son. This Christmas, let’s remember the world and the lost, as we thank God for the greatest gift of all times. God gave His own life for our world; let’s give of ourselves . . . for Him and for others!
A Christmas Story from Liberia, AFRICA
“I Gave Myself”
It was Christmas, and the Liberian Christians had been asked this year instead of receiving gifts, to help carry the Gospel to others.
As in many mission fields, they brought, not money, but produce. Presently, the great plates were piled high with offerings of rice, cocoa, bananas, palm nuts, pineapple, and cassava.
There was a moment’s pause . . .
Slowly, a twelve-year-old boy walked forward and solemnly placed his feet in one of the plates. Afterward, when the missionary questioned him, the boy said . . .
“We are very poor. I did not have anything else to give . . . so I gave myself.”
A few MISSION-MINDED baby-steps
Here are a few baby-steps to begin to incorporate a mission-mindset into your family’s yearly Christmas celebrations.
- Incorporate a GLOBE into your Christmas celebrations. Perhaps use this to bring a mission theme into a corner of your living room or family room. Add some garland and lights, or place a mini-nativity beside this globe (or map), as you encourage your children that Jesus came to earth to be the Savior for ALL people.
- If your decorations are looking a bit old and shabby, and you’re wondering about using them another year, remember 1.6 million people around the world have yet to hear the Christmas story . . . for the first time!
- Read aloud a Mission-Minded Christmas story such as this story, “I Gave Myself,” or “Home for Christmas?”
- Plan a specific family giving project for Christmas. Perhaps put a coin jar under your tree and begin saving coins for a specific mission need.
As mission-minded families, if we really want God’s direction in every areas of our lives, we need to begin by surrendering ALL of our “rights” to God.
All to Jesus, I surrender.
All to Him I freely give.
I will ever love and trust Him.
In His presence daily live.
I surrender all. I surrender all.
All to Thee, My Blessed Savior.
I surrender all.
This Christmas, we invite you to seek God’s purposes for your family.
Have yourself a MISSION-MINDED CHRISTMAS!!!
With Love in His Harvest,
Jon & Ann Dunagan, & Family
More Mission-Minded Christmas posts
Click here for a FREE Sample of THE MISSION-MINDED FAMILY
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